NEWS - NON-KING NEWS

A few days ago I got the chance to interview Dennis Franz who played Andy Sipowicz in the now cancelled TV show NYPD Blue which I have been a fan of for many, many years. Check out what he had to day here

"Very few of us say FREEKIN instead of fucking you know. We say what we mean."- Dennis Franz on the fact that people wanted to censor NYPD Blue when it first aired because of its foul language and nudity.

Follow me through the 8th and last season of Dexter week by week. I will give you my thoughts on each episode as they air and in 12 weeks we’ll all know how the story of Dexter ends. But don’t read this if you haven’t seen he episodes. There will be SPOILERS!

I have spent the weekend with Dexter. You know the guy who works as a forensics expert for Miami police during the day and moonlights as a serial killer during the night. Well, on June 30 the 8th and last season premiers but I was lucky enough to get a press kit this past Thursday and to my joy it didn’t just include the first episode but the first four episodes of season 8. Off course I had no intention to hold of seeing them. Instead I saw them all this weekend and even though I’m no closer to figuring out how it will all end I loved every minute of it. The only downside is that now I have to wait until July 28 for a new episode…

HarperCollins Publishers will released a 100 page eBook from Joe Hill entitled, Twittering From The Circus of The Dead on August 6, 2013.

The short story, written entirely as tweets from a teenage girl, follows an American family on a cross country road trip that goes horribly wrong. The tale first appeared in The New Dead, an anthology of zombie stories, published in 2010.

Here is an interview I did with Scott Wilson (Hershel in The Walking Dead). In it he talks about how he got the part of Hershel, how the show has affected him and that some of you might have been ahead of his mom in the checkout line without realizing it.

At last we're about to get a new novel Joe Hill. It's called NOS4A2 (pronounced "nosferatu") and it's being released on April 30. You can now see Hill himself talk about it in the clip below and read an excerpt here.

...telling you about this thing I found out today. Between 1993 and 2005 the TV series NYPD Blue" aired in the US. Along with "The Sopranos" this was the absolute best thing you could watch on TV. In 2003 the first two seasons were released on DVD, but then nothing happened. Not until 2006 when season three and four was released. And then again nothing... until now.

Today I saw that in England season 5 to 12 will be released on DVD within just over two months. Season 5 and 6 is being released on Monday February 18, season 7 and 7 on February 25, 9 and 10 on March 25 and season 11 and 12 on April 29. This means that me and every other fan of the show will finally be able to own all 12 seasons.

I didn’t have high hopes for the movie version of Horns when it was announced that Daniel Radcliffe would play Ig Perrish but after seeing this photo I have to admit that he looks quite a lot as I imagined when I read the book (reading it as we speak).

This fall, Mandalay Pictures and Red Granite will be filming King's son, Joe Hill's, book Horns with Alexandre Aja behind the camera and Daniel Radcliffe as Ig Perrish. Personally I can't stand Radcliffe but that's just me. What are your thoughts on this?

The first picture from season 7 of Dexter is out and as you can see they are continuing exactly where season 6 ended.

Picking up immediately where the finale left off, Season 7 will open with Debra's horrified reaction to seeing her brother kill last season's baddie, Travis. "Viewers might think we shy away from that moment of Debra walking in and seeing Dexter stabbing into Travis' chest, but it's just the opposite," says executive producer Scott Buck. "She now has to deal with what she's seen and what she knows. And it forces him to defend and define himself."

And in casting news:

Yvonne Strahovski ("Chuck"; I, Frankenstein; Killer Elite) will play Hannah McKay, a strong, independent woman with a past that she's struggled to put behind her. As Miami Metro reopens old cases, the department turns to her for assistance while Dexter begins to wonder if there's more to Hannah than what she reveals.

And another recurring character has been added as Avatar and "The Shield" tough guy Matt Gerald joins the cast for a multi-episode arc as a violent blue-collar criminal.

For those of you that, like me, think that bobble heads are pretty cool there are now two more joining the quite large family based on characters from the TV series Dexter. This time it’s Debora Morgan and Joey Quinn that will nod their way into our homes. Both will cost $12.99 and are released in July.

[GEORGE NOVIKOV] 30s to 40s. Russian heritage but American born, so no accent. Tough, aggressive, possibly a little overweight but imagines he is "all that". Basically, he's just not a good guy. RECURRING GUEST STAR.

[VIKTOR KAREV] 30s, handsome, well dressed, stylish, slight Eastern European accent. He is a polished businessman who can get his hands dirty when he has to. GUEST LEAD.

[DET. ANGIE MILLER] 30s, African American. Attractive, straightforward, she is a divorced mother of two who has no time for nonsense, so she simply goes about her job at Miami Metro Homicide. MAJOR RECURRING CO-STAR ROLE.

A new blog is born and I hope you will check it out. It’s not King related but I think you might enjoy it anyway.

Originally I wrote about The Walking Dead on my site Lilja’s Library but as the series grow so did the stuff I wanted to write about, the things I wanted to review and the people I wanted to interview. Eventually it grow too big and maybe a bit to off topic for Lilja’s Library. So what to do? Stop writing about The Walking Dead? NO WAY! Create a new site and write about The Walking Dead there? HELL YEAH! So for that purpose I give you The Walking Dead News!

Remember that it’s a new site, not all info is there yet and there might be some error so be gentle but let me know what you think about it! OK? Good!

Season 2 of The Walking Dead is over but what a season it was. The last three episodes were some of the best I’ve seen on TV for a very long time…if not ever. You can check out more of my thoughts about the episode here. And I want you to comment my thought!

The biggest thing happening in the season finale was that we got to see Michonne. Fans of the comic know her already and those of you who hasn’t read the comic (go do it now!) will get to know her in season 3. Either way she did a great entrance in the show with her sword and the two chained Zombies which she has cut of the arms and jaws (so they can’t bite her) on and use to disguise herself while walking through Zombie infested parts. A very cool entrance if you ask me. And even though we didn’t get to see her face in the season finale it has now been revealed that she’s played by Danai Gurira.

In other Walking Dead news:

Here is a clip of the cast talking about season 2 and what’s ahead.

And here you can read what Robert Kirkman and Glen Mazzara has to say about the finale.

The Walking Dead finale had 9 Million viewers. Can you imagine how many that is? Says a lot about the show if you ask me. Read more here.

We’ve missed him for almost a season but in season 3 he’s back. At Image Expo earlier this month, Robert Kirkman teased that “Merle will be seen again”. Now it’s been official confirmation from Michael Rooker himself. He will return for season 3 of The Walking Dead. Rooker didn’t give us any details but mention that he lost 20 lbs for the role.

1) Fans of the comic know Michonne and my guess is that most of the TV series fans will once season 3 starts but today you can learn what happened to her before we meet her in the comic. In the April issue of Playboy (out today) we get to read about her backstory in a six pages comic.

2) If you read the book Rise of the Governor (my review here) and liked it it’s now time for the second book. The first told the story of The Governor and how he ended up like he did (a great read in time for season 3 of the series where we’ll meet him) and here is the synopsis for the new book The Road to Woodbury that’s released in October this year.

It is a dangerous world that Lilly lives in. The walking dead lurk in every corner, massacring anyone they can get their hands on. Nowhere is safe. But when a terrifying ordeal leaves numerous dead, Lilly and her companions are forced out of their tented community and out into the open. Safety seems to come in the form of Woodbury, a gated compound with food and protection. Yet it’s not long before the wanton dangers of Woodbury reveal themselves, and the Governor’s despotic rule of the compound threatens to undermine everything Lilly believes in. Because sometimes the dead aren't the biggest threat. It’s the living . . . Praise for The Walking Dead novels: ‘A perfect introduction . . . and a great service to all those folks who've walked with these zombies before', StarburstMagazine.com, ‘The novel makes for an exciting, grippingly intense and at times gruesome one-off read’ BookGeeks.co.uk, ‘The novel hooked me from the first page . . . begs to be read’ Geeksofdoom.com

The last episode before the season finale just aired on AMC and what an episode it was. You didn’t miss it did you? Didn’t think so! And if you did see it (don’t go here if you didn’t see it) you should head over here and let me know what you think of it.

As many of you know I’m a huge fan of The Walking Dead and I know a lot of you are as well. But, maybe some of you have only seen the TV series and never thought about where it all originates from? Well, let me tell you, it all comes from the mind of Robert Kirkman and his graphical comic with the same name. Today he’s done almost 100 issues of the comic and I just found out that Newsarama offers a free version of the first issue and what better chance for all of you out there that hasn’t checked it out yet to do so now? A warning though, if you do you might feel forced to continue with issue #2, and #3 and #4 and so on as I know I did…

There are some things coming up in the 3rd season that I can happily and proudly say exceed some of the darkest things that we’ve done in the comic. I think people are really going to be pretty shocked with a lot of stuff that’s coming. The show is gonna have teeth, the show is not going to be a watered down version of the Walking Dead [comic]. Seeing it thus far, you’ve got zombie autopsies, Sophia, and there is definitely a lot of dark stuff going on in the show, and it’ll continue.

Wow, what an episode…and what an ending! This episode shows why I love this series so much. If you want to find out why, head over to my review of it (BUT NOT UNTIL YOU HAVE SEEN THE EPISODE). And don’t forget to leave your comment about it.

AMC announced today that David Morrissey has been cast in the role of The Governor in the network's critically acclaimed hit series The Walking Dead. The Governor, a character from Robert Kirkman's graphic novel, is the leader of Woodbury, a small settlement of survivors, and becomes the chief antagonist for Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and his group.

The Governor will appear in The Walking Dead Season 3, a 16-episode order from AMC, which begins production this spring in Atlanta.

Check out my interview with Glen Mazzara, showrunner for the hit TV series The Walking Dead. In the interview he speaks of his role as showrunner on one of the most popular TV series today as well as the future of characters like The Governor and Michonne and that he wants the series to get closer to Robert Kirkman’s graphical comic.

If you want to keep updated on stuff like this, follow Lilja's Library on facebook and twitter.

If you’re a fan of The Walking Dead and isn’t already following it’s showrunner Glen Mazzara @glenmassara you need to do so ASAP. He is giving us small hints and info about the series all the time. The latest questions he’s answered are these:

- Will we ever see the deleted scenes from earlier this season? Special Ed dvd perhaps?
- Yes

The Walking Dead mid-season return episode Nebraska became the strongest telecast for any drama in basic cable history against key demos including 5.4 million adults 18-49 and 4.4 million adults 25-54. These results shatter the previous record, which was held by the series' October 16th Season Two premiere with increases of +12% and +6%, respectively. The show delivered 8.1 million viewers for its 9:00 pm premiere and 10.1 million viewers for the night (9:00 pm premiere and 11:00 pm and 12:30 am encores).

Head over to Dread Central for more photos from next episode (which BTW is great).

You have probably seen her in both The Walking Dead and Zombieland. Sonya Thompson has played a Zombie more than probably anyone else. I got a chance to talk to her about it and I don't know about you but I'd sure like to trade places with her for a couple of days. Here is what she had to say.

Glen Mazzara took over as show runner for The Walking Dead after Frank Darabont and when the show returns on February 12 we'll be seeing the first episodes where Glen is the boss and not Frank. New York Magazin spoke to Glen about this and you can read all about it here. And let me tell you, I have seen episode 8 and I don't think anyone of you will be disappointed.

The writers have already moved on to season three, which AMC recently expanded to sixteen episodes. That’s exactly where Mazzara wants to be. “If you want to know who I am,” he says, “I hate when a show I’m working on is broadcast. I’m dreading when the show comes back on. I’m sure people will like it, but I don’t like the spotlight, and I can’t wait for the last one to run so I can get back to work.”

The second part of season 2 of The Walking Dead hasn't even started yet but already we're getting info about season 3. Hopefully that mean it'll premier as early as this fall. Here is what I've heard.

- The small town of Senoia in Coweta County is about to become zombie central for the filming of a hit cable show The Walking Dead. The show is scheduled to shoot in the town in May and construction of zombie sets will begin next week, which will involve 60 local carpenters. Scott Tigchelaar of Raleigh Studios Atlanta says people can expect to see the town a little dirtier than normal to fit the look of the show. (If anyone notice anything and get photos; send them to me and I'll post them on Lilja's Library.

- It was earlier rumored that John Hawkes would play Philip Blake, the psychotic zombie-killer who declares himself the Governor of Woodbury. Now, it looks like that won't happen. Hawkes' publicist states quite plainly that "John is NOT appearing on The Walking Dead." So, that is that.

- According to IMDb, Marvin Duerkholz who's probably best known for his role as Cody on MTV's Teen Wolf, is set to appear in The Walking Dead's season 3 premiere episode as Phillip Eagle. As all fans of the comic knows there are no character by that name in the comic. The closes is Philip Blake, known as The Governor, but I don't think Duerkholz will be playing that role.

It's now less than two weeks until the return of The Walking Dead and even though we won't see The Governor until season 3 (at the earliest) there are already speculations on who will be play him. In an interview with Movieweb Tom Savini says he's ready to step in and do the role but that the creators of the series are looking to have John Hawkes play The Governor. And for those of you that doesn't follow the comic version of The Walking Dead I can tell you that The Governor is one of the cruelest characters I have encountered.

And here is an interview with Robert Kirkman (creator of the comic) and Glen Mazzara (showrunner for the TV series) about season 2.

Robert Kirkman has turned in the outline for the second Walking Dead novel and the plan is to release it in October. No more info has been released but if it's anything like the first book Rise of the Governor I'm excited.

The fourth season of the UK version of Being Human starts Sunday February 5, 9.00pm on BBC Three. I'll be doing weekly reviews of it of it like with the US version so please look for that if you like the show.

18 days until the premier of the second part of season 2 of The Walking Dead and more and more news are being released...

- There maybe have been a major spoiler released unintentionally when Variety announced that Jon Bernthal who plays Shane is in early talks with TNT about him staring in Frank Darabont's new drama L.A. Noir. If Jon gets the part it's not likely that he'll do both shows, especially since the role in L.A. Noir would be a lead.

- In a recent trailer for episode 8 (airs Feb. 12), at the very end two new characters were revealed. They have now been identified. According to The HD Room, the two mystery men are actors Aaron Munoz and Michael Raymond James. Munoz will play Tony, one of two new survivors that will cross paths with Rick's group. James' character's name is still unknown. Both roles are being labeled as "guest stars" so these characters could potentially only be around a couple of episodes or less.

The second season of the US version of Being Human started this past Monday and today a trailer for the fourth season of the UK version was released. It'll be interesting to see how it does with the loss of two major characters...

And here is a press release for the season:

Being Human, BBC Three's award winning and critically-acclaimed drama, returns for a fourth series. Following the gripping series three finale in which viewers watched Mitchell fall victim to the wolf-shaped bullet, series four sees the aftermath as the housemates return to their home in Barry Island. There are also some new faces in town...

In an old B&B in a sleepy seaside town, we join Annie, her housemate George and their new friend. They’re reeling from the loss of their best friend Mitchell, Tom’s father-figure McNair and the tragic departure of George’s girlfriend, Nina. But with a newborn baby to look after, it’s never been more difficult to live life under-the-radar as a ghost and two werewolves.

There are also the vampires to deal with: lurking in every corner of society, waiting for the Old Ones to arrive and take over the world with brutal force. Can they fight them off? And at what cost? One thing becomes clear – the vampires believe that the child of two werewolves is important in their own mythology. Can this little baby really be the saviour of humanity? And what exactly are Cutler’s ‘alternative’ plans for world domination?

Being Human is also being simulcast on the award-winning BBC HD channel – the BBC’s High Definition channel available through Freesat channel 109, Freeview channel 54, Sky channel 169 and Virgin Media channel 187.

Executive producer Manny Coto just did an interview for EW in which he had this to say:

Finally, while the series has been guaranteed two more seasons, Coto says that doesn't mean the creators are plotting Dexter's exit strategy. In fact, everyone's favorite serial killer may eventually migrate to the big screen. "We're not really looking at an end game right now," says Coto. "In a way, it's almost like every season is a form of an end game. This season could've been an end to Dexter, setting it up for the movies, for example. So every season kind of comes to it's own conclusion and can be a sort of end game."

Coto is quick to add that he's "just speculating" when it comes to movie plans. "I've heard nothing about it. I'm actually just projecting from my own experience on 24, where at the end we weren't going to kill Jack Bauer. We were going to leave him open because down the road there might be a movie. And sure enough, there's a movie coming."

3 Despite chatter that the walkers appear to be moving faster this season, producers insisted that no conscious decision was made to speed them up. ”Some actors playing zombies make that choice,” said Mazzara. “They’re not getting faster on our end.”

4 Robert Kirkman would neither confirm nor deny that the pivotal comic book character of Michonne will turn up this season.

5 The escalating Shane/Rick rivalry “puts everybody else in a difficult position on that farm,” said Mazzara.

6 Mazzara said that, in keeping with the graphic-novel source material, there remain no plans to establish what caused the zombie outbreak: “This story is about our characters.”

7 Regarding the widely-circulated alterna-plan for Season 2 pitched by Frank Darabont before he and the show parted ways — one that, in flashback to the dawn of the outbreak, followed a band of Army rangers through Atlanta and ultimately planted that dead, grenade-clutching solider in the Season 1 tank — Mazzara confirmed that “that story was discussed internally,” but added, “It was under Frank’s stewardship that we moved off of that storyline. Frank moved off of that storyline.”

I was lucky to get a copy of this documentary about KNB EFX Group called Nightmare Factory the other day (review coming along with my interview with Greg Nicotero who is one of the founders of KNB). I watched it today and what can I say? It’s a great 90 minutes documentary that everyone interested in special effects should watch. So far it’s only been aired on the movie network in Canada but I truly hope that all of you will get the chance to see it. Yes, it is that great.

The Walking Dead is at its mid-season break and what a mid-season finale. It really shows why it's the best series on TV at the moment. Here are two short clips from the next episode. The only downside is that you'll have to wait until Feb. 12 to watch it.

Here are my review of The Walking Dead Chronicles. It’s a book best describes as the bonus feature on a DVD but in book form. It’s packed with info on both the TV series and the comic and a must have for all fans of both.

Entertainment Weekly reports that Dexter has been renewed for two more seasons:

'Dexter' renewed for two more seasons

Dexter is will return for two more seasons, Showtime just announced.

The serial killer drama was renewed for a seventh and eighth season. Each will consist of the show’s standard 12 episodes. The network also closed a deal with star Michael C. Hall for two more rounds. The deal makes Dexter one of cable’s longest-running drama series.

“The series is bigger than it’s ever been in its sixth season, both in terms of audience and its impact on the cultural landscape,” said Showtime topper David Nevins. “Together with Michael, the creative team on the show has a very clear sense of where they intend to take the show over the next two seasons and, as a huge fan, I’m excited to watch the story of Dexter Morgan play out.”

Here’s a question: Does this mean Dexter will end after eight seasons?

Dread Central reports that Russelll Tovey (the werewolf in the UK version of Being Human) leaves the series after season 4 leaving only one original cast member...

There we were, enjoying our Saturday morning coffee and catching up with Twitter, when we saw a tweet from Russell Tovey, one of the stars of the UK version of "Being Human", saying that he's leaving the show. First Mitchell, now George?!? Talk about ruining your weekend! Anyway, read on for the sad, but true details.

First off, here's what @RussellTovey tweeted:

"Hey my lovely witty's, you may or may not know by now, but I am leaving Being Human officially.. Thought you should all know... Im sorry x"

Then, reading a little further down his tweets, we found a link to an article in The Guardian in which he explains, "Well, I've actually left 'Being Human', but no one [outside of the show] knows yet. Aidan [Turner]'s left to film The Hobbit in New Zealand [with Peter Jackson], and going on without him on this fourth series felt strange."

When asked if having only one of the original cast members left (i.e., Lenora Crichlow, aka ghost Annie) puts the show in major jeopardy, Tovey promised fans, "No, with 'Being Human' the story can definitely go on and on. Toby [Whithouse, the writer] still runs it, and they can do all sorts ... add giants and robots!"

Well, we don't know about giants and/or robots, but this certainly has raised a lot of questions. Such as when and how werewolf George (Tovey's character) will be leaving and what it all means for Sinead Keenan, who plays Nina, his love interest, when the fourth season of "Being Human" begins airing sometime in early 2012. As we find out more, we'll be sure to pass it on!

After only two episodes on season 2 AMC announces that they have renewed The Walking Dead for a third season. Here is the press release:

New York – October 25, 2011 - AMC announced today the renewal of “The Walking Dead” for a third season. Season two continues to deliver the strongest telecasts for any drama in basic cable history against Adults 18-49 shattering a basic cable record set nearly 10 years ago for a single drama telecast (“The Dead Zone”). “The Walking Dead” is based on the comic book series written by Robert Kirkman and published by Image Comics. Glen Mazzara serves as series’ showrunner. Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, David Alpert and Frank Darabont are executive producers. Greg Nicotero is a co-executive producer.

"Today we are pleased to announce that the ‘dead’ shall live as we proudly renew ‘The Walking Dead’ for a third season on AMC and, globally, with our terrific partners at Fox International Channels," said Charlie Collier, AMC’s President. “We are thankful for everyone’s contribution in front of and behind the camera as we continue to make ‘The Walking Dead’ a unique television experience. And, we are so proud as it continues to set viewership records around the world.”

FOX International Channels rolled-out its global launch for “The Walking Dead” this weekend, with premieres on FIC’s cable networks in Europe, Asia, Latin American, Africa and the Middle East. The series’ international premieres delivered equally impressive results in all major international TV markets, and broke pay-TV ratings’ records across the world. Over 10 million viewers in 122 countries tuned in live to watch the second season premiere of this highly anticipated returning drama. And, FIC will once again be the international broadcasting partner for the series with Entertainment One continuing to distribute in non-FIC markets.

“Partnering with AMC on ‘The Walking Dead’ took some guts", said Sharon Tal Yguado, SVP of Scripted Programming at FIC. “But at the same time was the easiest programming decision we ever made. It's rare to come across a groundbreaking TV project that is also attached to some of the best talent in town. ‘The Walking Dead’ was treated as a global event since day one and not only changed the traditional TV model but also changed our viewers' TV experience. It is now officially a global addiction with millions of fans around the globe wanting more. We are delighted to give it to them.”

“The Walking Dead” secured a 2010 Golden Globe nomination for Best Television Series - Drama and won the 2011 Emmy Award for Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup. The series tells the story of the months and years that follow after a zombie apocalypse. It follows a group of survivors, led by police officer Rick Grimes, who travel in search of a safe and secure home.

“The Walking Dead” received rave reviews from countless critics, both domestic and international, who heralded the series as “above all else, “The Walking Dead” hasn't lost the most important ingredient in its strangely successful recipe: it’s thrilling” (The Hollywood Reporter), “...with Dead’s riveting cast of characters, the personal dynamics are almost as potent as the gory thrills” (Us Weekly), “The Walking Dead is a feast. Dig in.” (The Guardian, UK), “It doesn’t even take three minutes to realize that this series is setting standards” (Der Tagesspiegel, Germany).

Looks like there is a board game version of The Walking Dead. Anyone who has tried it?

In The Walking Dead Board game, only the strong survive. The weak turn into walkers, and then turn against their former friends! Fight your way through zombie-infested Atlanta with your fellow survivors. Grab some weapons to clear a path. Visit destinations like the department store, the police station, old folk's home, and the CDC. Find the tools you’ll need to live another day like weapons, allies, a car, or a swift mount. Take on the role of Rick, Andrea, or one of the other hapless survivors and scrounge for sweet weapons like a Shotgun or Crossbow. Keep your eyes open for new allies, but watch your back! When supplies start running low, it’s every man for himself. If you can make it back to camp with enough gear to defend yourself and those you still care for, you win!

Should you fall to the hungry horde of walkers, the game doesn't end. When a player dies and becomes a walker, they leave the world of the living behind and seek out the remaining survivors. Spring surprise attacks on the living, cause the walkers to frenzy, or contaminate the survivor’s supplies. Put the bite on your former friends and they’ll join you in your pursuit of the living. As a survivor, you'll work as a team with your remaining buddy to ensure the camp site stays protected. Share weapons and other resources. The fate of the human race is in your hands, either as a survivor or a walker. Test your surival skills and fight to live another day with The Walking Dead Board Game from Cryptozoic Entertainment.

This book is a must for all fans of the series. It's like the bonus material on a DVD but in book form.

The Walking Dead Chronicles: The Official Companion Book is the only authorized, behind-the-scenes guide to Season One of the white-hot new AMC television series, The Walking Dead, which tells the story of a sheriff’s deputy leading a band of survivors in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by the undead.

Focusing on the making of the first season of the Golden Globe–nominated TV show, as well as the creation of the New York Times bestselling comic book on which the series is based, The Walking Dead Chronicles is lav­ishly illustrated with never-before-seen unit photography, storyboards, set designs, makeup and visual effects shots, and page-to-screen comparisons of the comic and TV show. Featuring new interviews with series creator Robert Kirkman and executive producer Frank Darabont, as well as the cast and crew, the book also includes sidebars that serve as a detailed episode guide, reproducing excerpts from early drafts and final scripts, and revealing new direc­tions for the second season and beyond.

Zap2it had a chat with Romero where we told them he turned down working on an episode of The Walking Dead and hasn't even seen any of the episodes.

George Romero, who pretty much put movie zombies on the map, says he doesn't really get the hype about the super-trendy creatures. And, in fact, he's never watched one episode of AMC's "The Walking Dead," although he's hosting the network's "FearFest" which kicks off Sunday, Oct. 16, with the show's season 2 premiere.

"I haven't seen any of the episodes," Romero tells Zap2it.

And not only has he not watched the show, he tells us he turned down an offer to work on an episode.

"Frank [Darabont] and [Greg] Nicotero were calling me and asking me to do one of these," he says. "I don't have any desire to do one because it's not -- my zombies live in sort of my universe and they're political and they're different from whatever that is."

He continues: "I'm not trying to capitalize on a trend. When I want to write about something, I try to use zombies to do it because it's easier than trying to write a piece about citizen journalism. It's easier to put zombies in it and make fun of it."

Is he just sick of zombies in general?

"I'm not really a fan of the fact that they've become as popular as they've become because I used to think that I had them in my pocket somewhere," says Romero. "And now they're sort of all over the place and I'm not thrilled."

Judging from the success of The Walking Dead and the not so big success of Romero's last Zombie movie maybe it was a mistake to not work on The Walking Dead? What do you think? Comment on facebook.

Yesterday we could watch the premier of season 2 of The Walking Dead and I don't know about you but I really enjoyed it. And if you are excited to check out next weeks episode you can get a taste of it here:

And here is a clip from The New York Comic Con panel where the cast of the show talks about season 2.

Here are some interesting articles about The Walking Dead season 2 that premiers this Sunday. I saw the first two episodes yesterday and let me tell you, if the rest of the season is as good as these two we're in for a treat.

Today I got both the press kit for season 2 and the special edition DVD of season 1 of The Walking Dead in the mail and after having seen the two first episodes of season 2 I am sold. Season 2 will be just as good as season 1 was if they continue as they have started (review to come).

The special edition has, in addition to everything that’s on the regular edition, some extra bonus material but it also have the pilot in black and white (review of that is coming as well).

Today at 2PM / 1C AMC launched the six part webisodes exploring the back story of our favorite Zombie from season 1, Bicycle Girl. But if you, like me, want a sneak peak you can get so now. AMC has released 10 photos from the webisodes. Check them out here

Not much has been said about the press kit for season 2 of The Walking Dead and I’ll admit it’s not as nice as the one for season 1 (but then again, when is a press kit that nice? Well, not very often). Still, this one is quite interesting and contains a lot of stuff about the show, and most important; the two first episodes of season2. I have a copy on its way to me as we speak (together with a copy of the special edition DVD of season 1 (released on October 4th) and I’ll let you know more about both once I have them in my hand. Until then, enjoy these photos.

Leading up to the highly anticipated Season 2 premiere of AMC's hit series The Walking Dead, the network is launching a special six-episode web series on AMCtv.com.

The webisodes will give fans the opportunity to explore the back story of Hannah (Lilli Birdsell), better known as "Bicycle Girl," the infamous zombie from Season 1, who was shot by Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) in the pilot episode and who is one of the most celebrated "walkers" from last season. Fans will learn about Hannah's life before the apocalypse, her struggle to survive and protect her family as the world begins to fall apart, and her ultimate demise into zombie-hood.

The web series is produced by Generate, conceived and directed by The Walking Dead Co-Executive Producer Greg Nicotero with teleplay by John Esposito.

Check out The Walking Dead Chronicles: The Official Companion Book (Release Oct. 4, 2011). It's the only authorized, behind-the-scenes guide to season one of The Walking Dead.

Focusing on the making of the first season of the Golden Globe-nominated TV show, as well as the creation of the New York Times bestselling comic book on which the series is based, The Walking Dead Chronicles is lavishly illustrated with never-before-seen unit photography, storyboards, set designs, makeup and visual effects shots, and page-to-screen comparisons of the comic and TV show.

AMC has ordered a talk show hosted by Chris Hardwick to air after The Walking Dead. Talking Dead, AMC's first live aftershow, will serve as a platform for discussion about The Walking Dead. The half-hour series will premiere after the encore presentations of the hour long drama on Sunday, Oct. 16. Beginning on Friday, Nov. 4, Talking Dead will air following the shows encores at 11 p.m.

Talking Dead will have Hardwick, who hosts G4's Web Soup, with fans, actors and producers and taking questions and comments from viewers. Hardwick also moderated The Walking Dead panel at Comic-Con this year.

On October 4th the first season of The Walking Dead is released in a special edtions DVD. Now you can (if you live in the US that is) win a copy of the limited blu-ray editon (see photo right) that also contains a Zombie mask designed Greg Nicotero (see photo right). Enter here

We have also gotten word that Greg Nicotero (who took home an Emmy for his prosthetic makeup) has been named co-executive producer of The Walking Dead and that he's also directing an episode during Season 2.

It's very popular to do action figures of characters in TV series and movies. The Walking Dead is no exception. In November four characters from the TV series will be released as action figures. The four are Deputy Rick Grimes, Daryl Dixon, Zombie Walker and Zombie Biter and you can read all about them here.

What do you think about action figures like these? Personally I think they are pretty cool. Not that I think many will buy them to play with but I bet they'll look pretty cool in the book case where you keep your movie collection, don't you think?

We’re just over a month away now from the much anticipated The Walking Dead season 2 premiere. AMC has been busy providing some critics with advanced copies of the first episode, and said people are now tweeting brief reviews that are getting us excited!

TV Guide’s Matt Roush:
- Wasn’t in mood for lunch anyway. But after getting peek at intense, graphic, xcellent #WalkingDead S2 opener, I only have appetite for ep 2.

TV Guide’s Adam Bryant:
- Walking Dead’s Season 2 premiere won’t let any fans down. It may, however, make a few of them puke. Can’t wait to see more.

The Walking Dead’s score composer Bear McCreary:
- Walking Dead Season 2 is going to be amazing. That is all I can say now. It will be amazing.

All I can say is "Where is my screener?" If anyone has seen this, let me know. I want to hear more about it.

AMC’s critically acclaimed original series, The Walking Dead, is back with its much anticipated second 13 episode season. Kicking-off a two week long Fearfest, the network, once again, presents viewers with a 90-minute premiere episode, airing at 9 PM ET on Sunday, October 16th, with six one-hour episodes in the weeks following. The final six episodes of the season commences on Sunday, February 12th at 9pm ET.

On October 4th Anchor Bay Entertainment releases the special edition of The Walking Dead season 1 on DVD and blu-ray (you can see the covers below). Here is what you get on this release that you didn't get on the first one:

- Pilot Episode: The B&W Version
- Audio Commentaries On All 6 episodes
- We Are The Walking Dead
- Bring Out The Dead: KNB And The Art of Making Zombies
- Digital Decay: The VFX of The Walking Dead
- No More Room in Hell: The Walking Dead Phenomenon
- Adapting The Dead
- Killer Conversations: Frank Darabont & Greg Nicotero

Today they also released a very interesting clip that shows us how Greg Nicotero and his team created the dead bodies we see in the show. Enjoy!

Geek Tyrant had these interesting thoughts about Frank Darabont leaving The Walking Dead:

Did Frank Darabont quit The Walking Dead because of Mad Men's pay raise by AMC? Many people in Hollywood have been speculating that is a big factor for Darabont's departure. The LA Times reports that AMC has pushed to make cuts on both Walking Dead and Breaking Bad, which "came as a surprise to the creative forces behind those popular series."

These budget cuts come only months after Mad Men creator and executive producer Matt Weiner received "a huge new contract to continue the show about swinging 1960s ad men for at least two more seasons. His price tag of close to $10 million a season has those who work on rival shows grumbling that they are being asked to foot the bill for Draper's martinis."

Sony Television, which is behind Breakign Bad, was so annoyed by these cuts that they were considering shopping the show to other cable networks, including FX. This is understandable when AMC's offer for the fifths season included only six or eight episodes instead of the usual 13. Thankfully, a new deal is in the works. AMC had to cut about $250,000 per episode for its second season. Darabont has been replaced, but the network declined to comment on speculation that he forced out in part over a disagreement about the show's new budget.

AMC President Charlie Collier strongly denied these speculations and stated:

"We're investing more than we ever have before. The fact that future seasons of 'Mad Men' were going to be expensive is not a surprise to us." He was also quick to defend the network against complaints about its recent dealings with producers. "We've taken some of the most expensive, riskiest shows around and nurtured them and managed to grow our network."

Collier did not get into specifics, but said "The viewer will see we're making shows that will look like a movie every week."

What do you all think? Will The Walking Dead be the same without Frank? Comment on facebook or twitter.

Anchor Bay Entertainment will release a special edition of The Walking Dead on October 4. This set will have one extra disc that will have these features on it:

- Pilot Episode: The B&W Version
- Audio Commentaries On All 6 episodes
- We Are The Walking Dead
- Bring Out The Dead: KNB And The Art of Making Zombies
- Digital Decay: The VFX of The Walking Dead
- No More Room in Hell: The Walking Dead Phenomenon
- Adapting The Dead
- Killer Conversations: Frank Darabont & Greg Nicotero

In addition to the Blu-ray special edition, a limited edition collector's tin contains an exclusive wearable zombie mask from NECA designed by the series own make-up artist, Greg Nicotero. The first 100,000 units of the Blu-ray and Limited Edition Collector's Tin together includes an EXCLUSIVE Cryptozoic "The Walking Dead" trading card.

A book with the title The Walking Dead Chronicles: The Official Companion Book (a must for fans of The Walking Dead as far as I can se) will be published on October 1st:

This one-of-a-kind behind-the-scenes guide focuses on both the making of Season 1 and the creation of the bestselling comic book which inspired it. The Walking Dead Chronicles is lav¬ishly illustrated with never-before-seen photos, storyboards, set designs, makeup and visual effects shots, and page-to-screen comparisons of the comic and TV series. Featuring new interviews with comic creator Robert Kirkman and executive producer Frank Darabont among others, the book also includes a detailed episode guide, excerpts from early drafts and final scripts, and a glimpse into Season 2 and beyond. Available for purchase Sat., Oct. 1, 2011.

Lilja’s Library has always been dedicated to Stephen King. I have written about other stuff as well under the section Almost King (and sometimes I have sneaked it into the regular news as well) but the focus has always been (and will always be) on King. The Almost King consists of reviews of things by people connected to King in some way but things that haven’t been by or about King.

Well, over the years there has been more and more non King things that I’ve found interesting and that I think the general King reader might find interesting as well. So, to get a way to cover those things I have created this NON KING section. Here I will post news about things that isn’t King related and if you want to check it out (which I hope) it will be there and if you don’t you can just ignore it. It won’t interfere with the regular news (it will show up on facebook and twitter though) except for a small link. Oh, and please let me know what you think of this idea. Good? Bad? Don’t care? Let me know!